Narrowcasting to one-way set top boxes

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems of narrowcasting to a service group having one or more one-way set top boxes are shown and disclosed. The method may include receiving encrypted single program transport streams (SPTSs) from an encryptor, and receiving one or more session control signals for the SPTSs from a switched digital video (SDV) control system. The method may additionally include receiving service information (SI) packet identifiers (PIDs) for the SPTSs from a conditional access (CA) system, and updating the SI PIDs based on the one or more session control signals. The method may further include converting the SPTSs to narrowcast multiprogram transport streams (MPTSs) based on the one or more session control signals, and transmitting the narrowcast MPTSs and the updated SI PIDs to a plurality of edge quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) devices.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 63/107,649 filed Oct. 30, 2020.

BACKGROUND

The subject matter of this application relates to narrowcasting usingswitched digital video systems to service groups having one or moreone-way set top boxes.

To reclaim quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) bandwidth, cableoperators have been migrating a portion of their linear broadcastservices to switched broadcast services using one of several switcheddigital video (SDV) systems. Because of its many benefits, cableoperators would like to transition to an all switched broadcast SDVsystem. The benefits of an all switched broadcast SDV system include (1)service channel line-up changes can be performed without re-configuringedge QAMs (EQAMs), (2) QAM usage can vary across a region such thatoperators can tailor QAM frequencies and quantities on a per servicegroup; and (3) the number of channel maps can be reduced such thatoperators do not need to create channel maps to handle differentfrequency usage across different locations.

Delivering broadcast services via an SDV system requires two-way set topboxes that can communicate with the SDV system and thus does not workwith one-way set top boxes that are not capable of communicating withthe SDV system. One-way set top boxes need to communicate with the SDVsystem to identify tuner changes and to identify an active switchedservice. Additionally, the one-way set top boxes do not have the properSDV client code that understands the SDV in-band mini-carouselidentifying the tuning parameters of the active switched service. Whatis desired, therefore, is a way to support one-way set top boxes in anall switched broadcast SDV system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the samemay be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way ofexample, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a high-level block diagram of an example of a SDV system.

FIG. 2 is partial block diagram of the SDV system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a method of narrowcasting toone or more service groups having one or more one-way set top boxes withthe SDV system of FIGS. 1-2 .

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example of a computing apparatus thatmay be configured to implement or execute one or more of the processesperformed by any of the various devices described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1 , an illustrative example of a SDV system 10 isshown. The SDV system includes a SDV control system 12, a conditionalaccess (CA) system 14, a bulk encryptor 16, a virtual edge device proxy(VEDP) 18, an edge device having a plurality of edge QAM modulators(EQAMs) 20, and a plurality of service groups 22. Each service groupincludes one-way set top boxes 24 and two-way set top boxes 26 thatcommunicate with EQAMs 22 via one or more hybrid fiber co-axial (HFC)networks 28.

SDV control system 12 communicates with VEDP 18 via any suitable SDVsession control protocol, such as the next generation on demand (NGOD)protocol. The SDV control system may include, for example, a managementconsole, a SDV session manager, and/or an edge manager. CA system 14provides conditional access information to VEDP 18. Additionally, CAsystem 14 provides system information (SI) packet identifiers (PIDs),such as in-band SI PIDs, to the VEDP to support one-way set top boxes.CA system 14 may include a Digital Addressable Controller (DAC). Bulkencryptor 16 provides encrypted single program transport streams (SPTSs)to VEDP 18.

VEDP 18 is a universal proxy for EQAMs 20 supporting video narrowcastQAMs. The VEDP communicates with SDV control system 12 on behalf ofEQAMs 20 and builds appropriate multiprogram transport services (MPTSs)from the encrypted SPTSs from bulk encryptor 16 for each narrowcastvideo QAM defined within EQAMs 20. Additionally, VEDP 18 switches indynamic broadcast services as controlled or commanded by SDV controlsystem 12. Moreover, VEDP 18 receives SI PIDs (e.g., in-band SI PIDs)from CA system 14 and inserts and fixes those SI PIDs such that one-wayset top boxes 24 can operate properly. For example, VEDP 18 delivers SIPIDs that are aligned with where the SDV system places those servicesavailable to the one-way set top boxes. The SI PIDs generally arein-band SI PIDs, but out-of-band SI PIDs also are within the scope ofthe present disclosure. Additionally, VEDP 18 configures the QAMchannels containing services targeted to the one-way set top boxes toroute the updated SI PIDs. The VEDP ensures that all QAM channels withthe same narrowcast service group contains the same set of SI PIDs.

EQAMs 20 receives the narrowcast MPTSs and narrowcasts the MPTSs toservice groups 22. The EQAMs include a plurality of radio frequency (RF)ports 30 that are connected to HFC network(s) 28. Service groups 22include a plurality of one-way set top boxes 24 (e.g., digitaltelevision adapters) and two-way set top boxes 26.

One-way set top boxes 24 are incapable of notifying SDV control system12 of active tuned services so SDV control system 12 must manage anyservice intended for one-way set top boxes 24 to always remain activeand not switch out any service targeted for those set top boxes. Inother words, the services provided to one-way set top boxes 24 arestatic or always available. However, SDV control system 12 can stillmanage whether to place the above services so the placement of servicesin a QAM is still dynamically assigned by the SDV control system.However, the above services remain permanently active regardless ofwhether any two-way set top box 26 is actively tuned to the services.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the interactions of VEDP 18 with other componentsof SDV system 10 are shown. VEDP 18 includes a multiplexer (MUX) 32 anda PID update or fixing component 34. MUX 32 receives encrypted SPTSsfrom bulk encryptor 16, such as via user datagram protocol (UDP),internet protocol (IP), and/or 10 gigabit Ethernet (10 GigE). In someembodiments, MUX 32 multiplexes SDV and video on demand (VOD) services.Additionally, MUX 32 and/or PID fixing component 34 communicate with SDVcontrol system 12 via any suitable session control protocol, such asNGOD R6 (discovery) and D6 (resource management) protocols. For example,SDV control system 12 can use the NGOD R6 protocol to set up sessions onVEDP 18 and to signal which MPTSs (e.g., virtual QAMs) are to routewhich services.

As part of the session set-up, SDV control system 12 includes a sourceID that uniquely identifies the services being routed. The source ID isalso used to identify services within the SI PIDs. For example, PIDfixing component 34 uses the source ID to fix and/or update serviceinformation in the SI PIDs. When one-way set top boxes 24 are digitaltelevision adapters (DTAs), the in-band service information is containedin the network PID. SDV control system 12 may provide additionalinformation to MUX 32 and/or PID fixing component 34, such as frequencyand/or moving pictures expert group (MPEG) program number (PN), etc.

CA system 14 provides SI PIDs to PID fixing component 34, such as viauser datagram protocol (UDP), internet protocol (IP), and/or 10 gigabitEthernet (10 GigE). The SI PIDs may include a conditional access table(CAT), entitlement management message (EMM), network (NET) PID,electronic program guide (EPC), and set top box code download (CDL). TheCAT includes information that is used by the set top boxes to decode thenarrowcasted streams. The EMM defines access rights for each set top boxand may be sent continuously to allow the set top boxes to continue todecode the narrowcasted streams as the encryption changes for thosestreams. The EPC are menu-based systems that provide the set top boxeswith continuously updated menus that display scheduling information forcurrent and upcoming programs. When one-way set top boxes 24 are DTAs,an example of in-band SI PIDs is shown in Table 1 below.

-   -   CAT (PID 1, 1 per EMM)    -   EMM (PID X, 1 per DAC)    -   NET (PID Y, 1+ per DAC)    -   EPG (PID Z, 1+ per DAC)    -   CDL (PID W, 1+ per DAC)

Table 1: In-Band DTA PIDs

PID fixing component 34 fixes or updates the virtual channel message(VCM) in the SI PIDs, such as by updating the tuning parameters tocorrespond to where SDV control system 12 placed each service forone-way set top boxes 24. In some embodiments, the VCM includes portionsof a virtual channel table (VCT) and/or inverse channel table (ICT). Theupdated VCM allows one-way set top boxes 24, such as digital televisionadapters, to tune to switched broadcast services using the SI PIDs. TheVCM messages contained in the SI PIDs identifies the QAM channelinformation and program number of each one-way set top box service in avirtual channel record. Because both the QAM channel information andprogram numbers can change from what is defined by CA system 14, PIDfixing component 34 must correct or update the QAM channel informationand/program numbers in the VCM based on where SDV control system 12routes the one-way set top box services within the narrowcast MPTSs.

For each one-way set top box service contained in the input VCM thatcorresponds to an active SDV session within a narrowcast service group,PID fixing component 34 modifies the QAM channel information and programnumber. The QAM channel information includes a reference to a carrierdefinition sub-table (CDS) entry and a modulation mode sub-table (MMS).If SDV control system 12 has not routed a one-way set top box servicecontained in the input VCM, PID fixing component 34 removes thecorresponding virtual channel record from the output VCM to prevent aone-way set top box from tuning to a wrong service. Whenever a SDVsession for a one-way set top box is established or removed, PID fixingcomponent 34 updates the VCM to reflect the updating routing.Additionally, when the input VCM changes, PID fixing component 34updates the output channel with those changes.

The SI PIDs, such as the network PID, may contain VCMs for multiplechannel maps (VCM with different VCT IDs) where a given channel map mayspan multiple VCMs. PID fixing component 34 updates all VCMs the samefor all VCMs targeted to the same narrowcast service group. In otherwords, PID fixing component 34 makes the same updates to the VCMs thatare for the same service group. Each narrowcast service group can haveits own channel map.

Additionally, PID fixing component 34 fixes or updates the code versiontable (CVT) message within the SI PIDs, such as by updating thefrequency in the CVT to match the MPTSs where a code download (CDL) wasprovisioned so that one-way set top boxes 24 can download new codereleases. The CVT references the frequency and PID of each one-way settop box code download stream. A code download stream may includemultiple code objects (e.g., code objects for multiple one-way set topbox models). The SI PIDs may include a single code download PID ormultiple code download PIDs. In some embodiments, an operator manuallyconfigures code download PID(s) on the PID fixing component 34 and thatcomponent corrects the frequency in all CVT messages included in thestream. PID fixing component 34 can uniquely identify each code downloadPID using, for example, the PID number. Moreover, PID fixing component34 fixes or updates the program association table (PAT) of eachnarrowcast MPTS to identify the PID number of the SI PIDs, such as byupdating service number 0 with the SI PIDs.

An example of operations of VEDP 18 for DTAs is shown in Table 2 below.VEDP 18 outputs narrowcast MPTSs to EQAMs 20, such as via user datagramprotocol (UDP), internet protocol (IP), and/or 10 gigabit Ethernet (10GigE).

Mux SDV/VOD services per R6 session set up

Insert DTA in-band PIDs per manual configuration

Update Network PID: fix frequency/PN in VCM to match session set up

Update Network PID: fix frequency in CVT to match QAM with CDL

Update SN 0 in PAT

Table 2: VEDP Operations

Referring to FIG. 3 , an example of methods 300 for narrowcasting to aservice group having one or more set top boxes is shown. At 302,encrypted single program transport streams (SPTSs) are received from abulk encryptor, such as via user datagram protocol (UDP), internetprotocol (IP), and/or 10 gigabit Ethernet (10 GigE). At 304, one or moresession control signals for the SPTSs are received from a switcheddigital video (SDV) control system. At 306, service information (SI)packet identifiers (PIDs) (e.g., in-band SI PIDs) for the SPTSs arereceived from a conditional access (CA) system, such as via userdatagram protocol (UDP), internet protocol (IP), and/or 10 gigabitEthernet (10 GigE).

At 308, the SI PIDs are updated based on the one or more session controlsignals. For example, one or more tuning parameters in a virtual channelmessage (VCM) in the SI PIDs may be updated to correspond to one or moreedge QAM devices that are providing the narrowcast MPTSs for one or moreone-way set top boxes. The above updates may include updating QAMchannel information and program number in the VCM to correspond to oneor more edge QAM devices that are providing the narrowcast MPTSs for oneor more one-way set top boxes. The VCM may be updated when a SDV sessionfor the one or more one-way set top boxes is established or removed.Additionally, the same updates may be made to all VCMs for each servicegroup.

Moreover, the above updates may include updating a code version table(CVT) message within the SI PIDs, such as updating frequency in the CVTmessage to match the narrowcast MPTSs when a code download (CDL) PID wasprovisioned. Furthermore, the above updates may include updating aprogram association table (PAT) of each of the narrowcast MPTSs and/orupdating frequency in the CVT messages of one or more code downloadstreams for one or more of the one-way set top boxes.

At 310, the SPTSs are converted to narrowcast multiprogram transportstreams (MPTSs) based on the one or more session control signals. At312, the narrowcast MPTSs and the updated SI PIDs are transmitted to aplurality of edge quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) devices fornarrowcasting to the different service groups. Although particular stepsare shown FIG. 3 , other examples of the method may add, omit, modify,or substitute one or more steps. Additionally, other examples of themethod may have a different order or sequence of steps instead of theparticular sequence of steps shown in FIG. 3 .

Referring to FIG. 4 , a block diagram of an example of a computingapparatus 400 is shown. The computing apparatus may be configured toimplement or execute one or more of the processes performed by any ofthe various devices shown herein, including the VEDP, MUX, PID fixingcomponent, set top box(es), the session manager(s), the edge manager(s),the edge device(s), the management console(s), etc. of the presentdisclosure. The illustration of the computing apparatus 400 is ageneralized illustration and that the computing apparatus 400 mayinclude additional components and that some of the components describedmay be removed and/or modified without departing from a scope of thecomputing apparatus 400.

The computing apparatus 400 includes a processor 402 that may implementor execute some or all of the steps described in the methods describedherein. Commands and data from the processor 402 are communicated over acommunication bus 404. The computing apparatus 400 also includes a mainmemory 406, such as a random access memory (RAM), where the program codefor the processor 402, may be executed during runtime, and a secondarymemory 408. The secondary memory 408 includes, for example, one or morehard disk drives 410 and/or a removable storage drive 412, where a copyof the program code for one or more of the processes depicted in FIGS.2-5 may be stored. The removable storage drive 412 reads from and/orwrites to a removable storage unit 414 in a well-known manner.

As disclosed herein, the term “memory,” “memory unit,” “storage drive orunit” or the like may represent one or more devices for storing data,including read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magneticRAM, core memory, magnetic disk storage mediums, optical storagemediums, flash memory devices, or other computer-readable storage mediafor storing information. The term “computer-readable storage medium”includes portable or fixed storage devices, optical storage devices, aSIM card, other smart cards, and various other mediums capable ofstoring, containing, or carrying instructions or data. However, computerreadable storage media do not include transitory forms of storage suchas propagating signals, for example.

User input and output devices may include a keyboard 416, a mouse 418,and a display 420. A display adaptor 422 may interface with thecommunication bus 404 and the display 420 and may receive display datafrom the processor 402 and convert the display data into displaycommands for the display 420. In addition, the processor(s) 402 maycommunicate over a network, for instance, the Internet, LAN, etc.,through a network adaptor 424.

The systems and methods of the present disclosure supports properhandling of one-way set top boxes in an all switched broadcast SDVsystem across any type of deployed video EQAM devices. Additionally, thesystems and methods of the present disclosure eliminates the need tomodify one-way set top box clients across multiple platforms as well asto modify EQAM devices to support fixing SI PIDs. Moreover, the systemsand methods of the present disclosure allows operators to move aroundservices targeted to one-way set top boxes to reclaim QAM bandwidth.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to theparticular embodiment that has been described, and that variations maybe made therein without departing from the scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims, as interpreted in accordance withprinciples of prevailing law, including the doctrine of equivalents orany other principle that enlarges the enforceable scope of a claimbeyond its literal scope. Unless the context indicates otherwise, areference in a claim to the number of instances of an element, be it areference to one instance or more than one instance, requires at leastthe stated number of instances of the element but is not intended toexclude from the scope of the claim a structure or method having moreinstances of that element than stated. The word “comprise” or aderivative thereof, when used in a claim, is used in a nonexclusivesense that is not intended to exclude the presence of other elements orsteps in a claimed structure or method.

We claim:
 1. A method for narrowcasting to one or more service groupshaving one or more one-way set top boxes, comprising: (a) receivingencrypted single program transport streams (SPTSs) from an encryptor;(b) receiving one or more session control signals for the SPTSs from aswitched digital video (SDV) control system; (c) receiving serviceinformation (SI) packet identifiers (PIDs) for the SPTSs from aconditional access (CA) system; (d) updating the SI PIDs based on theone or more session control signals; (e) converting the SPTSs tonarrowcast multiprogram transport streams (MPTSs) based on the one ormore session control signals; and (f) transmitting the narrowcast MPTSsand the updated SI PIDs to a plurality of edge quadrature amplitudemodulation (QAM) devices.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein receivingservice information (SI) packet identifiers (PIDs) for the SPTSsincludes receiving in-band SI PIDs, and wherein updating the SI PIDsbased on the one or more session control signals includes updating thein-band SI PIDs based on the one or more session control signals.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein updating the SI PIDs based on the one or moresession control signals includes updating one or more tuning parametersin a virtual channel message (VCM) in the SI PIDs to correspond to oneor more edge QAM devices that are providing the narrowcast MPTSs for theone or more one-way set top boxes.
 4. The method of claim 3, whereinupdating one or more tuning parameters to correspond to one or more edgeQAM devices that are providing the narrowcast MPTSs for the one or moreone-way set top boxes includes updating QAM channel information andprogram number in the VCM to correspond to one or more edge QAM devicesthat are providing the narrowcast MPTSs for the one or more one-way settop boxes.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein updating QAM channelinformation and program number in the VCM to correspond to one or moreedge QAM devices that are providing the narrowcast MPTSs for the one ormore one-way set top boxes includes updating the VCM when a SDV sessionfor the one or more one-way set top boxes is established or removed. 6.The method of claim 3, wherein updating one or more tuning parameters tocorrespond to one or more edge QAM devices that are providing thenarrowcast MPTSs for the one or more one-way set top boxes includesproviding the same update to all VCMs in the SI PIDs for each servicegroup of the one or more service groups.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein updating the SI PIDs based on the one or more session controlsignals includes updating a code version table (CVT) message within theSI PIDs.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein updating a code version table(CVT) within the SI PIDs includes updating frequency in the CVT to matchthe narrowcast MPTSs when a code download (CDL) PID was provisioned. 9.The method of claim 1, wherein updating the SI PIDs based on the one ormore session control signals includes updating a program associationtable (PAT) of each of the narrowcast MPTSs.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein updating the SI PIDs based on the one or more session controlsignals includes updating frequency in code version table (CVT) messagesof one or more code download streams for the one or more one-way set topboxes.
 11. A switched digital video (SDV) system for one or more servicegroups having one or more one-way set top boxes, comprising virtual edgedevice proxy (VEDP) module including at least one processor and at leastone memory having a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium,the VEDP module performing the steps comprising: receiving encryptedsingle program transport streams (SPTSs) from an encryptor; receivingone or more session control signals for the SPTSs from a switcheddigital video (SDV) control system; receiving in-band serviceinformation (SI) packet identifiers (PIDs) for the SPTSs from aconditional access (CA) system; updating the in-band SI PIDs based onthe one or more session control signals; converting the SPTSs tonarrowcast multiprogram transport streams (MPTSs) based on the one ormore session control signals; and transmitting the narrowcast MPTSs andthe updated in-band SI PIDs to a plurality of edge quadrature amplitudemodulation (QAM) devices.
 12. The SDV system of claim 11, wherein theVEDP further performs the step of updating one or more tuning parametersin a virtual channel message (VCM) in the in-band SI PIDs to correspondto one or more edge QAM devices that are providing the narrowcast MPTSsfor the one or more one-way set top boxes.
 13. The SDV system of claim12, wherein the VEDP further performs the step of updating QAM channelinformation and program number in the VCM to correspond to one or moreedge QAM devices that are providing the narrowcast MPTSs for the one ormore one-way set top boxes.
 14. The SDV system of claim 13, wherein theVEDP further performs the step of updating the VCM when a SDV sessionfor the one or more one-way set top boxes is established or removed. 15.The SDV system of claim 12, wherein the VEDP further performs the stepof providing the same update to all VCMs in the in-band SI PIDs for eachservice group of the one or more service groups.
 16. The SDV system ofclaim 11, wherein the VEDP further performs the step of updating a codeversion table (CVT) message within the in-band SI PIDs.
 17. The SDVsystem of claim 11, wherein the VEDP further performs the step ofupdating frequency in the CVT to match the narrowcast MPTSs when a codedownload (CDL) PID was provisioned.
 18. The SDV system of claim 11,wherein the VEDP further performs the step of updating a programassociation table (PAT) of each of the narrowcast MPTSs.
 19. The SDVsystem of claim 11, wherein the VEDP further performs the step ofupdating frequency in code version table (CVT) messages of one or morecode download streams for the one or more one-way set top boxes.